Kondratyuk R.V., Trivailo M.S., shapharenko N.V., Saverchenko V.G.

National Technical University of Ukraine «KPI»

THE GASLIFT BUBBLE APPARATUS

The utility model relates to biotechnology, namely the gaslift bubble apparatus and can be used for cultivation of microorganisms.

Known gaslift bubble apparatus (GBA) for cultivation of microorganisms, which includes a cylindrical body with technological pipes and placed in its cavity perforated plates (disks) with downpiped holes, located outside the body circulating pipes, as well as disk aerator (see, А.с. СССР № 1774654, С12М1/04, 1994).

Disadvantages of this GBA are in relatively large dimensions and material due to external location of circulation pipes.

The closest to useful model relatively to technical sense and reached effect is taken as a prototype of GBA, which has placed on the same axis vertically-placed body with the technological pipes and installed with clearance relative to its body walls in its cavity circulation pipe, and placed under circulation pipe spiral pipe aerator (see А.с. СССР №1708829, С12М1/04, 1992)

Defect of known GBA is in relatively low productivity due to passive mixing (mass-exchange) of fluid because of its move in only one direction.

The basis of the utility model is a task to improve GBA, in which by means of accommodating crossover pipe with additional element it is provided, in addition to axial (height), roller moving of fluid that intensifies the process of mixing, and thus accelerates the growth of microorganisms and leads to increasing of productivity [17].

A task is solved by that in the GBA, which includes vertical cylindrical body with technological pipes and placed in the body cavity with radial clearance circulating pipe, and set under a circulation pipe aerator, according to utility model the new is that the circulation pipe is equipped with fixed on it helical wall covering pipe and covers the radial clearance between it and the case.

These distinctive features in the circulation of fluid provide additional to its axial movement in circular direction, which is absent in the prototype and intensifying the process of mixing. Intensifying the process of mixing accelerates the growth of microorganisms and leads to increased productivity.

In fig. 1it is schematically shown an announced GBA, general view, in fig. 2 – section A-A in fig. 1.

GBA includes vertical cylindrical body 1 with pipe 2 for a supply of liquid and seed material (working fluid), pipe 3 for removing culture broth and pipe 4 for diverting waste gas. In the cavity of body 1 along its axis with radial clearance «δ» it is fixed a circulation pipe 5 and it is placed an aerator 6 under it. Circulation pipe 5 is equipped with fixed on its outer surface threaded wall 7, which covers the tube to spiral "abc" and covers the radial clearance «δ» between the outer surface of the pipe and the body 1. From the displacement in the body 1 pipe 5 is fixed, for example, radially screwed in it stud-bolts 8 or other known means (not shown).

The GBA works in next way.

In pre sterilized body through the pipe 2 it is injected working fluid, after what in aerator 6 it is served compressed gas (air), which in the form of numerous bubbles 9 comes in tube 5 and forms a liquid-gas bubble mixture with working fluid, which is much easier on the working fluid that is in the gap «δ» between the pipe and the body 1. Different density (share) of the working fluid in the middle of the circulation pipe and around it generates high-rise circulation 10 of liquid medium in the body 1. The circulation of working fluid goes until the air enters the circulation pipe. Exhaust air through the nozzle 4 is removed in the environment.

In circulation, leaving the pipe 5, the working fluid moves to the gap «δ». Moving in gap «δ», working fluid, in addition to axial (vertical) direction, by means of helical wall 5 moves in a circular direction and on the way down heavily mixes in both directions - axial and circular.

As far as while circulating working fluid moves in two directions instead of one in the prototype, so the intensity of mass transfer increases, and it accelerates the growth of bacteria and serves as productivity growth.